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HISTORY

The Army of Connecticut?

In October 1812 the Connecticut legislature authorized the state to raise two regiments of infantry (2,000 men), four companies of artillery and four troops of horse for the purpose of defending the state from foreign invaders to serve for one year. In October 1814 that number was increased by 1,000 (one regiment) but the length of service was also increased to three years.

This was all based on a loophole in the constitution that forbid states to have military forces in time of peace . . . but said nothing about time of war.

New York also proposed building its own 20,000 man army and using militia only "as a last resort."